Queer Gym Program + Backpacking - New England
Gym portion: May 9 - June 15, every Tuesday/Thursday @ 6:30-7:30pm ET
Backpacking portion: June 17-20, 2023
Back for a third year by popular demand, Squats & Summits is a collaboration between Pioneer Valley Community Fitness & The Venture Out Project to bring you a queer-centered, hiking-focused, 6-week Strength and Conditioning workout followed by a hiking and camping trip to test your new hiking legs on the high peaks of the New England.
We will prepare your legs, back, core and lungs to be able to confidently carry you and your backpack all weekend long. You will get to know other trip participants while learning how to squat, lunge, deadlift and carry with proper technique under the guidance of a professional, experienced, queer Coach. No fitness or lifting experience is required, we love beginners. All are welcome who feel like this is the right space for them!
All sessions will be at PVCF in a safe, socially distant environment on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm from May 9th - June 15th. The course will take place at PVCF, located at 375 South St. in Northampton, MA.
Activity Level 2 - Variable terrain with some loose footing; rolling hills to mountainous terrain. Ability to carry daypacks up to 15lbs and overnight backpacks up to 35lb for up to 6 hours at a time. No prior experience required.
Active Hours per day: 4-6
Hiking/backpacking per day: 4-6 miles per day
Hiking/backpacking per day: Elevation Gain 500'-1000' per day
All New England trips meet at Basecamp at Beaver Falls in Halifax, VT (Wabanaki and Elnu Abenaki Ancestral Lands). Together, we’ll shuttle to the beautiful mountains of Vermont or New Hampshire - exact hiking location dependent on weather and season, and will be announced to participants after registering.
GENERAL INFO
Location: Meet at Basecamp at Beaver Falls, Halifax, VT
(Wabanaki and Elnu Abenaki lands)
Start Date: June 17, 2023
End Date: June 20, 2023
Cost: $350-$950 sliding scale
Estimated value: $750
To find out where you fall best in our sliding scale, see the “Why does this trip cost money?” dropdown below.
Includes: Minimal shuttling to trailhead, Food & gear: backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, stoves, bowls, utensils
Doesn't Include: Carpool to Basecamp, personal items, clothing, boots, toiletries, flights
COVID SAFETY
- Proof of vaccination
- Masks are not required during this event, however they are welcomed if wearing one allows you to better engage with the group
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Our sliding scale is meant to make our trips and events more accessible for those who experience financial barriers, are looking for reparations pricing, and/or have high travel expenses. Paying a higher amount allows us to provide more opportunities to others. Paying a smaller amount is recommended for those who would not otherwise be able to afford the estimated value. Please choose an amount that you will be able to pay, but will not hinder your ability to afford food, housing, etc. By paying as much as you can, we are able to serve more of our community members.
Our sliding scale recommendation:
- Low: Yearly income $30,000 or under, struggles to meet basic needs
- Mid (pays estimated value): Yearly income $40,000-$75,000, some expendable income
- High: Yearly income $80,000-$100,000, comfortable, never struggle with basic needs
Need more examples? We follow the Green Bottle principle. Click here to view and find out where you fall.
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Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.
